It is easy to whip up a simple buttercream to top off a cake or some cupcakes, but I was curious to try Trader Joe’s Chocolate Frosting Mix when I saw it on my last visit to Trader Joe’s. Frosting mixes used to be a very popular item on the baking aisle of many grocery stores, but were largely phased out as canned frosting became more and more popular. Not having seen any in a while, I couldn’t wait to give it a try and see how it tasted.

The mix is primarily made up of sugar, dutch processed cocoa powder and vanilla flavoring, and to use it you beat in softened butter and a few tablespoons of hot water until it reaches the consistency that you want. Aside from the cloud of cocoa that came up when I started to blend everything, the frosting came together without fuss. It had a nice smooth consistency, was very glossy and a great chocolate flavor to it, although I can’t say that it was that much better than my own basic chocolate frosting. I’d use it again, or at least put a box in the back of my pantry for a time when I need some quick frosting and don’t have enough of my own confectioners sugar (hey – it happens!) on hand to finish off a whole batch of frosting. This mix will make enough to frost 24 cupcakes or a 9-inch layer cake.